Football training apparatus



C. PLFORREST FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS July 2 1968 Filed Dec. 6, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ems P'FoR Es'r FIG. 5.

ATTORNEYS July 2, 1968 c. P. FORREST FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 6, 1965 n w w M ,M 3 Two 4 w m 2 wai/ I FIG.5.

United States Patent 3,390,880 FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS Charles P. Forrest, Fairhope, Ala., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Forrest Athletic Equipment Company,

Inc., a corporation Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 511,636 9 Claims. (Cl. 273-55) The present invention relates to football training apparatus and more particularly to a tackling and blocking machine for the development of timing and coordination of football players.

In body contact sports such as, for example, football, many devices have heretofore been employed for training and conditioning athletes. Such devices generally comprise sled-like structures having padded uprights against which the athletes engage their arms and shoulders in an attempt to move the sled with a pushing motion. These devices generally rely on frictional engagement between their supporting structure and ground to resist the pushing action of the athlete or the opposing action of two or more players.

Such training devices sufier from the disadvantage that they do not realistically simulate the actual body contact which occurs under playing conditions and, thus, do not provide an effective means for improving the coordination and timing of the athletes or trainees. In addition, the blocking pads used with such training devices are frequently rigidly mounted to posts so that they are totally inadequate to develop the proper balance and coordination in athletes or to simulate moves of an opposing player such as might be actually experienced in crossblocking and mouse-trapping or in a one-on-one tackling situation. Furthermore, where the blocking pads are mounted on rigid posts, it is not practical for an athlete to charge it from any distance.

These and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides an improved football training machine having a blocking dummy rotatably supported in an extended position from a base stand so as to simulate actual moves of an opposing player which might be experienced during actual playing conditions and means to control the force to be overcome by the trainee to trip the machine. After follow through by the trainee, the machine is automatically reset with the blocking dummy extended on the opposite side ready for another trainee to go through his training schedule.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved football training machine of simple construction capable of realistically simulating actual body contact which occurs under playing conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved football training device for developing timing and coordination in football players.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved football training device which may be read ily adjusted according to the training needs of an individual player.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved football training device which is automatically reset upon proper follow through of a trainee.

To this end, the present invention comprises a tackling or blocking dummy which is rotatably supported in an extended position about a vertical base stand. Rotation of the dummy is effected upon the application of a force by a trainee against the dummy sufficient to overcome the resistive force opposing rotation which resistive force is provided by a pair of engaging cam surfaces. An adjustable spring tensioning mechanism controls the amount of resistive force opposing rotation so that the amount of 3,390,880 Patented July 2, 1968 force required to be exerted by a player to trip the machine may be preset.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a football training 'apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the training apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, partly in cross-section, of the spring tensioning mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, of an alternate embodiment of the spring tensioning mechanism of FIG. 1 with the tackling dummy rotated from its start position.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 designates generally the training apparatus of the present invention which comprises an upright stand pipe 11 having a lower base plate 12. Base plate 12 and the lower portion of the stand pipe 11 may be anchored in a block of cement 13 which is disposed at or below ground level 15 so that the stand pipe is permanently maintained in an upright position. At 'a convenient distance above ground level, there is aflixed to the stand pipe a cam plate 14. Cam plate 14 may be affixed to the stand pipe in any conventional manner such as, for example, by welding, as indicated at 16. The upwardly facing surface 17 of the cam plate, as viewed in the drawings, is contoured to provide a cam surface. Cam plate 14 also includes an upwardly extending tension shaft 18 which is threaded at its end as at 19 and which supports a spring tensioning mechanism generally indicated at 20. Spring tensioning mechanism 20 comprises a lower spring compression plate 21, and upper spring compression plate 22, spring 23 disposed therebetween and a spring compression nut 24 adapted to be threaded on shaft 18 for adjusting the tension in spring 23*.

Lower spring compression plate 21 is provided with a central opening which permits it to be slipped over the tension shaft 18 to a position adjacent ca-m plate 14. The lower surface 25 of plate 21, as viewed in the drawing, is contoured complementary to that of cam surface 17 so that when cam surfaces 17 and 25 are disposed adjacent each other, the force on the lower compression plate 21 maintained by the tension of the spring 23 provides a controlled amount of resistance to rotation in accordance with the adjustment of tension nut 24. Advantageously, the tension nut 24 may include a pair of extending bar grips 26 and 27 which form a handle to facilitate tension adjustment by the coach in accordance with the training needs of individual players.

A blocking or tackling dummy 28 is rotatably supported away from the stand pipe by means of a pair of spaced support arms 29 and 30 connected at opposite ends of the dummy. If desired, arms 29 and 30 may be padded to minimize danger of injury. Both support arms 29 and 30 have their other ends secured to the lower spring compression plate 21 so that upon the application of a force by an athlete against the tackling dummy, sufficient to overcome the frictional force resisting rotation between the cooperating cam surfaces 17 and 25, the dummy will rotate about the stand pipe 11. By adjusting the tension on spring 23, the ease or hardness with which the dummy will rotate, as the case may be, simulates the moves of an opposing player that might be experienced under actual playing conditions.

Details of the spring tensioning mechanism are shown in FIG. 3. As hereinbcfore described, the cam surfaces 17 and are disposed in opposing relationship and are in sliding contact so that upon rotation of the lower compression plate 21 the frictional resistance to rotation controlled by the tension of spring 23 determines the amount of pressure to be applied to rotate the dummy. Spring 23 is disposed about the tension shaft 18 and is seated at one end between collar 31 and a plurality of upwardly extending projections 32, which may take the form of an annular ridge forming a channel seat for the spring between the ridge and collar 31. The upper end of spring 23, as viewed in the drawing, is similarly seated between collar 33 and downwardly extending members 34 on upper compression plate 22. Collar 31 is spaced from shaft 18 so that there may be disposed therebetween a pair of bearings 35 and 36 maintained in spaced relationship by separator sleeve 37. Collar 33 is similarly spaced from shaft 18 and includes an annular shoulder portion 38 which support bearing 39. Support arms 29 and 30 are secured to the lower compression plate 21 in any con ventional manner. For example, arm 29 may include at its end a support ring 40 which is affixed to the flat upper surface of plate 21, while arm 30 is affixed to the annular depending flange member 41 which surrounds the greater portion of the outer periphery of the cam plate 14.

Referring to FIG. 4, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the lower dummy supporting arm 30 is connected to a stop, slip ring assembly 42, which provides a first and second start and stop position spaced at a 180 interval. The stop, slip ring assembly 42 comprises a lower ring 43 rigidly secured to stand pipe 11. Ring 43 includes a pair of upwardly extending, resiliently biased projections or pins 44 and 45 spaced diagonally opposite each other. Projections 44 and 45 cooperate with suitable indentations provided in the dummy support ring 46 integral with arm 30 so that the dummy is maintained in a semi-locked position at spaced intervals 180 apart, as shown by the dotted lines in the various figures. It should be readily apparent that a similar stop assembly may be provided between the cam plate 14 and lower compression plate 21.

Referring to FIG. 2, the solid lines illustrate the tackle dummy 28 at its first start or its N0. 2 stop position, while the dashed lines illustrate the second start or No. 1 stop position. The application of a force by a charging player on dummy 28 overcomes the initial locking force of the stop, slip ring assembly 42 and the dummy begins to rotate in a clockwise direction against the resistive force of the spring tension mechanism 20. As the player continues to follow through with exerted pressure, the turning action of the dummy simulates a falling away action of an opposing player and the pressure is maintained until the dummy rotates 180, at which time the biased projections 44 and 45 of the stop, slip ring assembly engage in opposite cooperating indentations in ring 46. The dummy is thus stopped in its No. 1 stop position or No. 2 start position where it is charged by a player approaching in the opposite direction. Thus, the machine is readily adapted for use by groups of trainees who line up in two opposing rows approaching the training apparatus from opposite directions, and thus affords an efficient manner of training groups of players while permitting the coach to concentrate on individual techniques.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein cam surface 17 is contoured s0 that the dummy 28 is automatically reset to a second start position after 180 rotation relative to the first start position so as to be set to be charged by another player. In this arrangement cam surface 17 is inclined gradually to provide a raised surface or high spot 47 intermediate and transverse to the first start and the second start positions. Thus, when dummy 28 is positioned in the first or second start position, cam surface 25 is seated in a depression between the high spot 47. As the lower compression plate 21 rotates, there is imparted to the plate an upward motion which further compresses spring 23. This upward motion continues until the dummy has been rotated from its start position after which compression plate 21 begins to move in the opposite direction or downwardly as indicated by the arrows with a resultant decrease in resistive force. This decrease in resistive force can be sensed by the player who discontinues his driving motion as the compression plate seats in its first or No. 1 stop position. It should be apparent that by virtue of the cam surface 25 moving from a high point to a low point as it is displaced from 90 to relative to the start position, movement is along a downwardly inclined surface and the seating action on the compression plate 21 is enhanced by the applied spring force.

Thus, there has been described a simple and efiicient training appartus designed to teach a football player the art of tackling and blocking. Several embodiments of the invention have been described and, accordingly, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made. Therefore, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A rotatable dummy football training machine comprising a stand pipe anchored in an upright position, means for supporting the dummy away from said stand pipe for movement thereabout between a first and a second start position and a first and a second stop position, said first and said second stop positions corresponding to said second and said first start positions, respectively, a cam plate secured to said stand pipe, a pair of compression plates supported above said cam plate, one of said compression plates being connected to said dummy support means and rotatable therewith, said cam plate and said one of said compression plates being disposed adjacent each other, tension spring means supported between said compression plates yieldably urging said one of said compression plates into frictional engagement with said cam plate to oppose rotation of said dummy between said first and said second start positions and means for adjusting the tension of said spring to thereby adjust the force opposing rotation of said dummy.

2. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second start position corresponds to a 180 displacement of said dummy from said first start position.

3. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam plate includes a threaded shaft, said pair of compression plates being disposed about said shaft and said means for adjusting the tension of said spring includes a threaded nut adapted for engagement with the threads of said shaft and hearing against the other of said compression plates for adjustably compressing said spring.

4. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam plate and said one of said compression plates include opposing cam surfaces contoured such that said training device is tripped upon the application of a force against said dummy at the first start position, said force necessary to trip the device being greater than the force necessary to effect continued rotation of the dummy.

5. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for supporting the dummy comprises a pair of extending arm members connected at opposite ends of said dummy, one of said arms being connected to said one of said compression plates, the other of said arm members having a support ringdisposed around said stand pipe for rotation thereabout and means on said stand pipe cooperating with said support ring for restraining said dummy in said first and said second start positions.

6. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for restraining said dummy comprises yield'a-ble means.

7. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for restraining said dummy comprises a ring secured to said stand pipe and biased projections extending from said ring, said support ring having spaced indentations adapted to receive said projections in said first and said second start positions.

8. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cam plate includes an upwardly extending shaft threaded at its end, said pair of compression plates and said spring being disposed about said shaft, a nut threadingly engaged on said shaft and bearing against the other of said compression plates for adjustably compressing said spring, said cam plate and said one of said compression plates having opposed cam surfaces adapted to maintain said dummy in said first and 6 said second start positions and oppose rotation of said dummy therebetween upon the application of a force against said dummy.

9. A rotatable dummy football training machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second start position corresponds to a 180 displacement of said dummy from said first start position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,401,038 12/1921 Britt 272-72 2,984,485 5/1961 Brown 273-55 3,304,089 2/1967 Smith 2735S RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

T. ZACK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A ROTATABLY DUMMY FOOTBALL TRAINING MACHINE COMPRISING A STAND PIPE ANCHORED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE DUMMY AWAY FROM SAID STAND PIPE FOR MOVEMENT THEREABOUT BETWEEN A FIRST AND A SECOND START POSITION AND A FIRST AND A SECOND STOP POSITION, SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND STOP POSITIONS CORRESPONDING TO SAID SECOND AND SAID FIRST START POSITIONS, RESPECTIVELY, A CAM PLATE SECURED TO SAID CAM PLATE, ONE OF SAID COMPLATES SUPPORTED ABOVE SAID CAM PLATE, ONE OF SAID COMPRESSION PLATES BEING CONNECTED TO SAID DUMMY SUPPORT MEANS AND ROTATABLE THEREWITH, SAID CAM PLATE AND SAID ONE OF SAID COMPRESSION PLATES BEING DISPOSED ADJACENT EACH OTHER, TENSION SPRING MEANS SUPPORTED BETWEEN SAID COMPRESSION PLATES YIELDABLY URGING SAID ONE OF SAID COMPRESSION PLATES INTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID CAM PLATE TO OPPOSE ROTATION OF SAID DUMMY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SAID SECOND START POSITIONS AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE TENSION OF SAID SPRING TO THEREBY ADJUST THE FORCE OPPOSING ROTATION OF SAID DUMMY. 